God And His Word - A Question And Answer Approach To Understanding The Bible

LESSON 8: THE CREATION OF MAN AND THE APPEARANCE OF SIN 1. WHICH IS THE PRINCIPAL CREATURE ON EARTH? The principal creature on earth is man because in the beginning God Himself especially formed his body, gave him a rational soul, made him ruler over the earth, and above all - created him in His image. Genesis 2:7; 1:26, 27. 2. WHO WAS THE FIRST MAN? His name was Adam. Genesis 1 and 2; 1 Corinthians 15:45. He did not evolve from monkeys, but was the result of an immediate creation by God. 3. DOES THE BIBLE TEACH THAT ADAM WAS CREATED 4,000 B.C.? Many people think this because of the dates given in the margin of their Bible. Usually, these dates are based on Ussher's Chronology, which in turn is based on a study of the genealogies the Bible. The genealogies of the Bible indicate that Adam's SIN did take place about 4,000 B.C., but not his CREATION. Adam undoubtedly was created long before his sin, and had children other than Cain, Abel and Seth. Consider that God told him to reproduce while he was still without sin. Genesis 1:28. This he must have done, which would account for the obvious presence of other people on the earth at that time. Genesis 5:16. 4. WHAT WAS THE IMAGE OF GOD? It means to be like God - in actions, appearance, thought, etc. It meant that man was able to enjoy the spiritual perfection of God, and to possess it by deliberate choice. Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24; Hebrews 1:3; 6:l; Ephesians 4:12, 13. 5. DOES MAN STILL BEAR THE IMAGE OF GOD? Man lost the image of God (perfection) when he fell into sin. In Christians a restoration of this image is taking place through the work of the Holy Spirit. The full restoration will be completed in the resurrection. Genesis 5:3; 1 Corinthians 15:52; Psalms 17:15. 6. IS MAN A SPIRIT BEING? Man is more of a spirit being than he is a physical being. There is a spirit in man, inbreathed by God, by which he has a far greater capacity

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